Prise Annual Report 2001

Introduction:

In 1989 PRISE was established as a joint venture between ANUTECH and the Research School of Earth Sciences. Initially, the aim was for a research scientist to establish and carry out U-Pb zircon single grain TIMS analyses as supported by external funds. As the years progressed, the role of PRISE changed to encompass the handling of disparate externally funded projects in the areas of geochronology, isotope geochemistry and trace element geochemistry, and provide external access to the Research Schoolís specialised equipment and expertise in these areas. After twelve years highlighted by significant growth in size and scope, PRISE was transferred from ANUTECH to the ANU in May 2001, with the staff and operation forming a unique entity within RSES.

During the year there were significant staff changes, with Dr David Phillips moving to Melbourne University and Dr Wayne Taylor deciding to take an active role in diamond exploration.  Dr Marc Norman and Dr Greg Yaxley joined late in the year each with specific roles to continue and expand the PRISE charter to provide access to the wide range of equipment and expertise in isotope geochemistry and geochronology within the Research School of Earth Sciences.

Visitors:

PRISE hosted the following visitors to the School during 2001:
 

Dr J. Aleinikoff, Branch of Isotope Geology, US Geological Survey, Denver, USA
Dr R. Pankhurst and Dr I. Millar, British Antarctic Survey, Keyworth, United Kingdom
Dr C.W. Rapela, Centro de Investigaciones Geologicas, Universidad de la Plata, Argentina
Ms A. Dziggel, Economic Geology Research Unit, Witwatersrand University, South Africa
Professor F. Hervé, Departmento de Geologica, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Dr R. Scheepers, Department of Geology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Dr I. Graham, Geology Department, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Dr A. Cocherie, Bureau de Recherche Géologique et Miniere, Orleans, France
Dr B. Seth, Institut für Geologie, Universität Bern, Switzerland
Dr M. Pimentel, Instituto de Geosciências, University of Brasilia, Brazil
Dr G. Teale, Teale and Associates, Prospect, South Australia
Dr J-J. Peucat, Lab. de Géochimie isotopique et de Géochronologie, Univertite de Rennes, France
Dr D-L. Cho, Department of Geology, Korea Institute of Geology, Mining and Minerals, Korea
Dr R. Mundil, Berkeley Geochronology Center, California, USA
Messrs H. van Niekerk and H. Dorland, Dept. of Geology, Rand Afrikaans University, South Africa
Messrs M. Schwarz, G. Ferris and A. Burtt, Primary Industry and Research, South Australia
Ms D. Fischel and Ms M. de Hollanda, Instituto de Geosciências, University of Brasilia, Brazil
Dr J. Jacobs, Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Universität Bremen, Germany
Dr L. da Silva, Serviço Geológico do Brasil, Brazil
Dr A. Camacho, Department of Applied Geology, University of New South Wales

Research Projects:

Revised Precambrian crustal history of the Nimrod Group, central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica

Late Cenozoic magmatism in the Southern Patagonian Batholith: SHRIMP U-Pb ZIrcon age evidence

High Precision SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating of oceanic crust formation
(a) An intrusive age from oceanic crust at Macquarie Island
(b) High precision U-Pb zircon SHRIMP dating of plagiogranite in the Semail Ophiolite, UAE